in expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in expense" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to costs or expenditures, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The project was completed in expense of the budget, leading to financial issues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

This year the oligarchs may have been expected to rein in expense as the global financial crisis bites.

The Guardian

He sneaked into India in October 1999, carrying the rupee equivalent of $200 in expense money.

The New York Times - Magazine

A member of Parliament pleaded guilty on Tuesday to dishonestly claiming about $22,000 in expense payments.

The New York Times

An LNG export plant can cost tens of billions of dollars, rivalling oil projects in expense and complexity.

The Economist

A second filed thousands of dollars in expense claims for days he never even went to Albany.

The Guardian

Boston, San Francisco and Chicago follow New York in expense, with reserved monthly rates of $450, $400 and $375 respectively.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Palm users can synchronize the built-in Expense program's entries with Microsoft Excel on a desktop computer.

The New York Times - Tech

Additionally, Divide has built-in expense management tools to help identify roaming devices and display network operator usage data.

TechCrunch

With the euro triumphant, the most desirable Italian wines were in expense-account territory.

The New York Times

Frustration is palpable in ministerial offices and in expense-account restaurants where bureaucrats and businessmen quietly curse Mr Putin for the state the country is in.

The Economist

In Arcadia revolves around Lao, a black European television presenter who, despite a cosy life in expense-account hotels, spends the entire book in a foul mood.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "in expense". Instead, use more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "at the expense of" or "at the cost of" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

The phrase "in expense" is often misused when "at the expense of" is intended. Double-check your usage and replace "in" with "at the" to ensure correct grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in expense" functions as a prepositional phrase, though its usage is often grammatically questionable. It frequently appears where a more explicit expression of cost or sacrifice is intended, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in expense" appears in various contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that it's often used where a more precise expression, such as "at the expense of", is intended. To ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations, it is best to opt for these more conventional alternatives. Remember to review your writing and replace "in expense" with more grammatically sound options to maintain precision and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the cost of

This alternative replaces "in expense" with a more standard and widely accepted phrase for indicating a sacrifice or negative consequence.

at the expense of

Similar to "at the cost of", this phrase emphasizes the sacrifice made in achieving something else.

costing

This alternative provides a direct verb form to indicate the expenditure or sacrifice involved.

resulting in cost

This phrase highlights the consequence of an action, which is an increase in expenses.

requiring investment

This option emphasizes the need for resources, typically financial, to achieve a particular goal.

incurring charges

This focuses on the action of accumulating financial burdens or fees.

incurring costs

Similar to "incurring charges", this highlights the action of accumulating financial costs.

leading to expenditure

This phrase indicates that a particular action will cause money to be spent.

causing financial burden

This alternative emphasizes the negative financial impact or strain resulting from something.

involving outlay

This option specifies the commitment or expenditure of resources, often financial, for a particular purpose.

FAQs

Is "in expense" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "in expense" is generally not considered grammatically correct. The more appropriate and widely accepted phrases are "at the expense of" or "at the cost of".

What does "in expense" mean, and why is it often seen?

While "in expense" is sometimes used, it is often intended to convey the meaning of sacrificing something for another. However, the correct way to express this is "at the expense of", which clearly indicates that something is lost or sacrificed in order to gain something else.

What can I say instead of "in expense"?

Instead of "in expense", use phrases like "at the expense of", "at the cost of", or "costing" to convey the intended meaning more effectively.

How can I avoid using "in expense" in my writing?

Review your writing to identify instances where you've used "in expense". Replace it with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "at the expense of", ensuring that the context clearly indicates a sacrifice or trade-off.